About Calvary Mater Newcastle
About Us
Calvary Mater Newcastle is situated in Waratah, Newcastle, in the heart of the Hunter region. The hospital is an affiliated hospital under the health services act and one of only two affiliated hospitals left in NSW. It provides services to people of the Hunter New England region and Country NSW.
Calvary Mater Newcastle is a 187 bed facility and is the Hunter region’s major centre for oncology (cancer) services, haematology, clinical toxicology and research. These services are supported by the intensive care unit, oncology treatment, surgery, general medicine and palliative care. While the hosptial provides emergency, general medical and surgical care, we also specialise in the diagnosis and treatment of blood diseases, breast cancer and melanoma.
The hospital is also home to the Newcastle Melanoma Unit and Hunter BreastScreen, and has a stroke unit which provides a seamless care approach to stroke treatment and assessment for people of the Hunter.
We have been serving the community for almost ninety years, providing our patients, their families and visitors with a genuine commitment to provide the best health care services possible.
The hospital also has a wide range of district hospital activities including a busy emergency department supported by clinical and non-clinical services.
Calvary Mater Newcastle is a fully accredited hospital by the Australian Council on Health Care Standards.
Our History
1921 marked the beginning of the hospital and provision of health care by the Sisters of Mercy, (Singleton) for the people of Newcastle and surrounding areas.
The hospital first operated from a single building known as Enmore Hall which until recently (October 2009) was situated on the hospital's current site. As services developed, new buildings have been added. Many of these received generous support from the Hunter community. The most recent additions, the Mercy Hospice, Villa Units and Mater Institute have all received funds through locally conducted Telethons.
On November 9 2006, after 85 years, The Sisters of Mercy (Singleton) handed on to The Sisters of the Little Company of Mary, their mission of high quality health care and compassion for the sick of Newcastle and the Hunter New England.
An official 'Ceremony of Welcome' was held at Corpus Christi Church, Waratah, to mark the occasion and acknowledge Little Company of Mary Health Care as the new owners of the hospital.
If you would like to find out more about Little Company of Mary Health Care, please visit the website at: www.lcmhealthcare.org.au
Our Mission
We bring the healing ministry of Jesus to those who are sick, dying, and in need through “being for others”
In the Spirit of Mary standing by her Son on Calvary;
Through the provision of quality, responsive and compassionate health and aged care services;
Based on Gospel values and in celebration of the rich heritage and story of the Sisters of the Little Company of Mary.
In accordance with the Mission, the staff of the Hospital embrace the Values of The Little Company of Mary. Our values identify how we act and treat others and as stewards of the rich heritage of care and compassion of the Little Company of Mary, we are guided by our Values each day.
Values
Hospitality
We demonstrate and foster openness to others in a spirit of warmth, compassion, and gracious receptivity.
Healing
We anticipate and respond to the needs of people by the provision of holistic care.
Stewardship
We ensure that our philosophy governs the way we relate to our people and to the communities we serve, that we respect and care for our environment, and that we use our scarce health care resources to best advantage as a united group.
Respect
We respect the sacredness of the gift of life, the value and dignity of all persons and our obligations to relate to all with justice and compassion.
Hospital Redevelopment
The Mater has recently undergone a significant redevelopment which commenced in December 2005. Initiated by NSW Department of Health, the program of works is now complete and the hospital was officially opened on 7 August 2009. The project included:
- The redevelopment of the 180-bed Calvary Mater Newcastle;
- Construction of a new 100-bed acute mental health facility on the Mater site – including 10 extra acute mental health beds - to replace existing facilities at Newcastle’s James Fletcher Hospital; and
- An expansion of cancer radiation therapy facilities, including the construction of two extra bunkers, two new linear accelerators and refurbishment of existing facilities.
An upgrade of existing facilities is also complete with a new peri-operative suite comprising three new operating theatres, day surgical unit and surgical inpatient facilities.
Teaching Hospital
Calvary Mater Newcastle is a teaching hospital in affiliation with many teaching institutions and in particular the University of Newcastle. Medical, Nursing, Allied Health, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Radiography, and other students of the health professions are periodically placed at Calvary Mater Newcastle and may be involved in your care.
If you wish to refuse to allow access of these students to either yourself or to your medical records, please inform your doctor. Otherwise it is assumed that students are permitted access to you and to your records.
Copies of the Patients Rights and Responsibilities brochure are available on request and will be given to you at the time of your admission. There are copies in each ward and service throughout the hospital. If you are undergoing an operation under general or local anaesthesia then you should consider whether you wish to exclude medical and nursing students from the operating theatre.